The results of the census of 1960 became available in late 1960. Your Excellency in January, 1961, created a commission to report with recommendations concerning the apportionment of representation in the General Assembly and in the House of Representatives of the Congress. The letter of appointment of The Commission designated Lawrence H. Hoover as Chairman and Charles R. Fenwick as Vice-Chairman.

The other members of the Commission were: Thos. H. Blanton, member of the Senate of Virginia, Bowling Green; J. L. Camblos, member of the House of Delegates, Big Stone Gap; Robert L. Clark, member of the House of Delegates, Stuart; John Warren Cooke, member of the House of Delegates, Mathews; Weldon Cooper, Charlottesville; Albert Edward Cox, Danville; W. E. Cundiff, Vinton; Garland Gray, member of the Senate of Virginia, Waverly; Omer L. Hirst, Annandale; Edward M. Hudg1ns, member of the House of Delegates, Richmond; Herbert V. Kelly, Newport News; Garland E. Moss, Chase City; William T. Muse, University of Richmond, Virginia; H. L. Opie, Jr., Staunton; Mosby G. Perrow, Jr., member of the Senate of Virginia, Lynchburg; James W. Roberts, member of the House of Delegates, Norfolk; William A. Stuart, Abingdon; G. A. Treakle, Portsmouth. The Commission appointed John B. Boatwright, Jr., and W. S. Kincheloe, Jr., as Secretary and Recording Secretary, respectively.

At the first meeting of the Commission on April 24, 1961, it was decided to request the Bureau of Public Administration of the University of Virginia to prepare data showing the populations represented in the several legislative and Congressional districts. The Bureau supplied this information as well as a great deal of other material, all of which has been most helpful to the Commission.

The Commission sought the views of all persons who had proposals to make concerning the reapportionment of the State. It held two public hearings, one in Roanoke and the other in Richmond, after due publicity, both of which were well attended and at which a number of suggestions were received. In addition, a number of plans were sent the Commission for its consideration. All these plans and suggestions were carefully studied.

The controlling case in Virginia on reapportionment of the House of Representatives of the Congress is the case of Brown v. Saunders-159 Va. 28, 166 S.E. 105. Information was obtained concerning cases pending in the Supreme Court of the United States involving the question of reapportionment, cases decided in certain of the federal courts in which the same question was passed upon, and other material of like nature. Consultations were held with the Attorney General and his staff and these have been of great valμe to the Commission.

In view of the considerable volume of information before the Commission, it was agreed to appoint a Steering Committee, composed of representatives from each of the Congressional Districts to study the material before the Commission and to prepare a plan or plans involving reapportionment of the General Assembly and of the House of Representatives or the Congress. The Steering Committee met on numerous occasions and made its report to the full Commission, complete with suggested plans and maps outlining the proposed districts.

The Commission has carefully considered all of the material available to it, the views expressed at the public hearings, the information received by mail and otherwise, the judicial decisions in point, the report of the Steering Committee, and now submits its recommendations:

1. The present apportionment of the House of Representatives of the Congress should remain as it is.

2. The proposed plan for the apportionment of the State Senate should be adopted.

3. The proposed plan for the apportionment of the House of Delegates should be adopted.